W. Indies island, discovered by Columbus Aug, 15, 1498, and named by him Concepción, the place later was renamed for the old Spanish kingdom or city of Granada, which is said to be from Latin granatum "pomegranate," either from fruit grown in the region or from some fancied resemblance. Others connect the name to Moorish karnattah. The Roman name, Illiberis, is said to be Iberian and represent cognates of Basque hiri "town" + berri "new," and survive in the name of the surrounding Sierra Elvira.